Swimsuit converter

ABSTRACT

A swimsuit converter is provided for converting the bottom rear panel of a swimsuit to a shape with more body exposures. The swimsuit converter includes a center connection part, and a plurality of extensions, each with one end connected to the center connection part and with another end connected to an attachment structure. When in use, a swimsuit wearer attaches two extensions through the attachment structures to two sides of a bottom rear panel of a swimsuit and attaches one or more extensions to one or more locations around the waist portion of the swimsuit. The swimsuit converter holds the swimsuit rear panel together, and converts a conventional or bikini style swimsuit to a thong style, which is particularly suitable for sun bathing and sun tanning.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates in general to swimsuit accessories,and more particularly to a device which enables conversion of bottomrear panel of a swimsuit from a conventional or bikini style to a thongstyle, and is particularly suitable for sun bathing and tanning.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Thong-type bikini swimsuit bottoms and briefs are known in theart. They are particularly suitable for sun tanning because of largeareas of body exposure. However, extensive body exposures can also beembarrassing to many users when walking around in a public area, such asat a beach or a resort.

[0003] On the other hand, one-piece swimsuits or bikini swimsuits haveless body exposures. It is more comfortable to wear one-piece or bikiniswimsuits at a beach or at a pool party. However, when the swimsuitwearer is exposed to the sun or the lamps of a tanning booth, thesetypes of swimsuits will leave a white outline of the shape of thegarment. The white outline will often be seen when the person wears aswimsuit or other piece of clothing having a shape different from theone used to obtain the tan.

[0004] Therefore, because of the above-described reasons, it isdesirable to have different types of swimsuits and to select theappropriate one for a specific purpose and occasion. However, this canbe costly and inconvenient. Particularly with a two-piece bikiniswimsuit, the top portion already provides a sufficient body exposure.To obtain sun tan around the buttocks, one needs to change to a thongstyle swimsuit.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,560 (to DeCaro) discloses a versatileswimsuit with accessories, which utilizes a band wrap at selected areasto change the shape of a bikini top, adjust the cut, and style of aswimsuit. More particularly, DeCaro teaches using a band wrap to wrapthe rear panel of a swimsuit together to provide a thong style likeswimsuit. The band wrap is made of a flexible material including elasticbetween the opposing inner and outer fabric panel. However, althoughusing a band wrap to wrap a small area may be feasible, to wrap anentire rear panel into a tubular band wrap can be difficult anduncomfortable. Furthermore, the band wrapped rear panel has a poorappearance, which will affect negatively on a user's interest.

[0006] Based on above discussion, it is apparent that it is desirable tohave a swimsuit accessory device which enables a convenient conversionof a conventional or a bikini swimsuit style to a thong style as needed.It is also desirable to have a decorative swimsuit converter whichenhances appearance of the converted thong style.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to aswimsuit converter comprising a plurality of extensions, first endportions of the extensions being connected together, and an attachmentmeans being connected to a second end portion of each of the extensions;wherein attaching two of the extensions through the attachment means totwo sides of a bottom rear panel of a swimsuit and attaching one or morethe extensions through the attachment means to one or more locationsaround the waist portion of the swimsuit enables a conversion of thebottom of the swimsuit to a shape which provides more body exposure.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the swimsuit converter of the presentinvention comprises a center connection means; and a plurality ofextensions, first end portions of the extensions being connected to thecenter connection means, and an attachment means being connected to asecond end portion of each of the extensions. Alternatively, theextensions are foldable at the second ends for attaching to theswimsuit; therefore, no attachment means are required.

[0009] In an alternative embodiment, the swimsuit converter has twoextensions with one end connected to the center connection means, andanother end connected to an attachment means. When in use, a swimsuitwearer attaches one extension through the attachment means to a locationaround the waist portion of a bottom rear panel of a swimsuit andenfolds the bottom rear panel of a swimsuit with the second extension,and connects the attachment means of the second extension to the centerconnection means to hold the rear panel together.

[0010] In another embodiment, a swimsuit converter of the presentinvention comprises a first extension, each of two end portions of thefirst extension having a connection means enabling interconnectionbetween the two connection means, and a second extension, with a firstend connected to a point along the first extension, and with a secondend portion connected to an attachment means. When in use, a swimsuitwearer attaches the attachment means of the second extension to alocation around the waist portion of a bottom rear panel of a swimsuitand has the first extension enfolding the bottom rear panel of theswimsuit, and interconnects the two connection means to convert aswimsuit style.

[0011] In an additional embodiment, the present invention provides a kitfor making a swimsuit converter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of thepresent invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a swimsuit converter of oneembodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a swimsuit converter with acircular center connection means of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a swimsuit converter with atriangular center connection means of one embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a swimsuit converter with adecorative center connection means and extensions of one embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a swimsuit converter with fourextensions of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIGS. 6A and 6B show a swimsuit converter with foldable extensionsof one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 7A shows a bottom rear panel of a bikini swimsuit.

[0020]FIG. 7B shows the bottom rear panel of the bikini swimsuit of FIG.7A after being converted to a thong style by applying the swimsuitconverter of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 8 shows a swimsuit converter having one attachment meansattached to the top edge of the bottom rear panel of a one-pieceswimsuit.

[0022]FIG. 9A shows a swimsuit converter with one attachment meansattached to a loop on the rear panel of a one-piece swimsuit.

[0023]FIG. 9B shows a swimsuit converter with one attachment meansattached to an attachment opening on the rear panel of a one-pieceswimsuit.

[0024]FIG. 10 shows a swimsuit converter with two attachment meansattached to two attachment openings on the rear panel.

[0025]FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the swimsuit converterwith two extensions.

[0026]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a swimsuit converter with twointerconnected extensions of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027]FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate the application of a swimsuitconverter of present invention to convert a swimsuit from a bikini styleto a thong style.

[0028]FIG. 14 illustrates the intended use of the swimsuit converter ofpresent invention for sun bathing.

[0029]FIGS. 15A and 15B are two prospective views of an adjustableswimsuit converter of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one example of oneembodiment of the swimsuit converter of the present invention. Theswimsuit converter 10 comprises a plurality of extensions 12, first endportions 14 of extensions 12 being connected together; and an attachmentmeans 20 being connected to a second end portion 16 of each extension12.

[0031] In a more preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, swimsuitconverter 10 comprises a center connection means 30; and a plurality ofextensions 12, a first end portion 14 of each extension 12 beingconnected to center connection means 30; and an attachment means 20being connected to second end portion 16 of each extension 12.

[0032] The center connection means 30 can be in various shapes, such asa circular ring as shown in FIG. 2, a triangular ring as shown in FIG.3, or other suitable shapes. As shown in FIG. 4, center connection means30 can be a circular plate with a plurality of apertures around theperiphery of the circular plate for connecting with a plurality ofextensions 12. Furthermore, center connection means 30 can have varioussizes. Additionally, center connection means 30 can be decorative withprintings, such as designer logos, brand names or cartoon characters; ordecorative with patterns.

[0033] The center connection means 30 can be made of a variety ofmaterials. Suitable examples include metal, plastic, rubber and fabric.

[0034] The extension 12 can be connected directly to center connectionmeans 30, for example tied on, welded on, or through an additionalconnection ring 18 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. With connection ring 18,extension 12 can be moved freely around center connection means 30,which provides flexibility in adjusting attachment positions.

[0035] Extension 12 can be chains, strips, strings, connected beads,connected loops. They can be made of variety of materials, includingmetal, plastic, rubber, fabric, elastic material, string, and beads.Extension 12 can also be decorative, with colors, decorative patterns,and decorative material surfaces. FIG. 4 shows extensions 12 made ofstringed beads, and with a designer logo printed on the surface ofcenter connection means 30. With decorative designs, the swimsuitconverter of the present invention can be made like jewelry, which willnot only service as a swimsuit accessory for style conversion, but alsofunction as swimsuit decoration.

[0036] The attachment means 20 can be hooks, buttons, clasps, clamps,snaps, Velcro™ (adhesive plastic), or other suitable means. Theplurality of attachment means 20 in one swimsuit converter can be thesame, and can also be different. FIGS. 1 to 5 show illustrative examplesof attachment means 20 as S-shape hooks. In FIG. 9A, one of attachmentmeans, attached to loop 86 of the swimsuit, is a Velcro™ attachment.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, extensions 12 are made of foldablematerial such as aluminum strip. With this type of extension, noadditional attachment means are required. The second end portion 16itself can function as an attachment means, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

[0038] When in use, a swimsuit wearer attaches two extensions 12 ofswimsuit converter 10 through attachment means 20 to two sides 82 of abottom rear panel 80 of a swimsuit, as shown in FIG. 7B, and attachesone or more extensions 12 through attachment means 20 to one or morelocations around the waist portion of the swimsuit, such as top edge 84of rear panel 80 in FIG. 7B. The two extensions 12 attached to two sides82 pull the swimsuit bottom rear panel together and hold rear panel 80around the center, which converts a bikini or conventional style to athong style. Therefore, using the swimsuit converter of the presentinvention, one can conveniently convert a rear panel of a swimsuit to ashape which provides more body exposure for sun tanning.

[0039]FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the use of swimsuit converter 10 of thepresent invention to convert a rear panel of a two-piece bikini swimsuitto a thong style. The swimsuit converter of the present invention canalso be used for converting a one-piece swimsuit. FIG. 8 shows aone-piece swimsuit which has a low back cut. As shown, one of extension12 of swimsuit converter 10 can be attached to top edge of rear panel80, similar to the use with bikini swimsuit shown in FIG. 7B. FIGS. 9Aand 9B show that a one-piece swimsuit can have a built-in attachmentlocation for use with the swimsuit converter of the present invention.In FIG. 9A, a one-piece swimsuit has a loop 86 around the waist portionon rear panel 80. In FIG. 9B, a one-piece swimsuit has an attachmenthole 88 around the waist portion of rear panel 80, and attachment hole88 can further be decorated. As shown, one of extension 12 can beattached to loop 86, or attachment hole 88, and two extensions 12 can beattached to the two sides 82 of rear panel 80 as illustrated previously.

[0040]FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a real example of using the swimsuitconverter of the present invention to convert the bottom rear panel of abikini swimsuit into a thong. FIG. 14 further illustrates the intendeduse of the swimsuit converter of the present invention for sun bathing.

[0041] The swimsuit converters shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and FIGS. 7 to 9have three extensions 12. However, more than three extensions can beutilized for the purpose of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 5and 10. The length of each extension 12 can be the same, and can also bedifferent, depending on the configuration of the swimsuit. For example,the extension attached to top edge 84 of rear panel 80, or loop 86 canbe longer than the extensions attached to two sides 82 of rear panel 80,if top edge 84 or loop 86 has a relatively higher position.

[0042] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides anadjustable center connection means 31 which has an adjustment mechanismfor adjusting the length of extension 12. FIG. 15 shows an example of anadjustable swimsuit converter. In this case, two extensions 12 forattaching two sides of a swimsuit are connected together by an extensionconnector 12′. As shown, adjustable center connection means 31 has aholder 32 with two apertures housing extension connector 12′, and springloaded slide plate 33 inserted inside holder 32. With this device, auser can push in slide plate 33 and pull extension connector 12′ toadjust the lengths of extensions 12 based on the swimsuit size, style,and user's individual needs. Other suitable adjustment means can also beutilized for the purpose of the present invention.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, swimsuit converter 10 has twoextensions, 12 a and 12 b, as shown in FIG. 11. When in use, a swimsuitwearer attaches attachment means 20 a to a location around the waistportion of a bottom rear panel of a swimsuit and enfolds the bottom rearpanel of a swimsuit with extension 12 b, and connects attachment means20 b to center connection means 30 to hold the rear panel together. Morespecifically, the extension 12 b wraps around sides 82 of bottom panel80 and attaches to center connection means 30.

[0044]FIG. 12 illustrates a further embodiment with a similar method ofuse as the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. In this embodiment, swimsuitconverter 10 comprises a first extension 60 having two ends 62, each oftwo end portions of first extension 60 having a connection means 64 a or64 b, which enables interconnection between the connection means; and asecond extension 70, a first end 72 of second extension 70 beingconnected to a point along first extension 60, and an attachment means78 being connected to a second end portion 74 of second extension 70.When in use, a swimsuit wearer attaches attachment means 78 of secondextension 70 to a location around the waist portion of a bottom rearpanel of a swimsuit, has first extension 60 enfolding the bottom rearpanel of the swimsuit, and connects connection means 64 a with 64 b tohold the rear panel together.

[0045] With this embodiment, connections means 64 a and 64 b arecomplimentary to each other. Suitable complimentary connections meansinclude hooks, rings, buttons, clasps, clamps, snaps, Velcro™, or othersuitable means.

[0046] The swimsuit converter of the present invention provides aswimsuit wearer an ability to conveniently change a conventional styleswimsuit, more suitable in a public environment, into a shape with morebody exposures for sun bathing and sun tanning. Therefore, the presentinvention provides a practical solution for easy conversion of swimsuitstyles between different environments. Furthermore, it costs much lessto use the swimsuit converters of the present invention to convertswimsuit styles than possessing multiple swimsuits of different styles.

[0047] The swimsuit converter of the present invention can be sold as anafter-market product for use with user's existing swimsuit, and it canalso be sold together with a swimsuit as an accessory or decoration.Moreover, because of its decorative feature, the swimsuit converter ofthe present invention can also be used as a decoration of a thong styleswimsuit, where a conversion is not even required.

[0048] In an additional embodiment, the present invention provides a kitfor making a swimsuit converter. The kit comprises extension materials,a plurality of attachment means, center connection means, and aninstruction on how to make a swimsuit converter. Because of itsstructural simplicity, low cost, and decorative features, users can makevarious swimsuit converters with their choices of color, material, andstyle. Using the kit a user can make swimsuit converters with or withoutthe center connection means, with three or more extensions, or with onlytwo extensions.

[0049] While the present invention has been described in detail andpictorially shown in the accompanying drawings, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of the present invention, butrather as an exemplification of preferred embodiments thereof. It willbe apparent, however, that various modifications and changes can be madewithin the spirit and the scope of this invention as described in theabove specification and defined in the appended claims and their legalequivalents.

We claim,
 1. A swimsuit converter comprising: a plurality of extensions,first end portions of said extensions being connected together, and asecond end portion of each of said extensions being connected to anattachment means, wherein attaching two of said extensions through saidattachment means to two sides of a bottom rear panel of a swimsuit andattaching one or more of said extensions through said attachment meansto one or more locations around the waist portion of said swimsuitenables a conversion of said bottom of said swimsuit to a shape whichprovides more body exposure.
 2. The swimsuit converter of claim 1,wherein said conversion converts a bikini style bottom to a thong stylebottom.
 3. The swimsuit converter of claim 1, wherein said extension isone form selected from the group consisting of chains, strings, strips,stringed beads, and loops.
 4. The swimsuit converter of claim 3, whereinsaid converter has three extensions.
 5. The swimsuit converter of claim1, wherein said attachment means is one selected from the groupconsisting of hooks, clasps, clamps, snaps, buttons, and Velcro™.
 6. Theswimsuit converter of claim 1, wherein said extension is made of afoldable metal strip, and a folded said second end portion of saidextension is said attachment means.
 7. A swimsuit converter comprising:a center connection means, and a plurality of extensions, first endportions of said extensions being connected to said center connectionmeans, a second end portion of each of said extensions being connectedto an attachment means, wherein attaching two of said extensions throughsaid attachment means to two sides of a bottom rear panel of a swimsuitand attaching one or more said extensions through said attachment meansto one or more locations around the waist portion of said swimsuitenable a conversion of said bottom of said swimsuit to a shape whichprovides more body exposure.
 8. The swimsuit converter of claim 7,wherein said conversion converts a bikini style bottom to a thong stylebottom.
 9. The swimsuit converter of claim 7, wherein said centerconnection means is a loop.
 10. The swimsuit converter of claim 7,wherein said center connection means is a plate with a plurality ofapertures for connecting said plurality of extensions.
 11. The swimsuitconverter of claim 7, wherein said center connection means has anadjustment mechanism for adjusting a length of said extension.
 12. Theswimsuit converter of claim 7, wherein said extension is one formselected from the group consisting of chains, strings, strips, stringedbeads, and loops.
 13. The swimsuit converter of claim 12, wherein saidconverter has three extensions.
 14. The swimsuit converter of claim 7,wherein said attachment means is one selected from the group consistingof hooks, clasps, clamps, snaps, buttons, and Velcro™.
 15. The swimsuitconverter of claim 7, wherein said extension is made of a foldable metalstrip, and a folded said second end portion of said extension is saidattachment means.
 16. A swimsuit converter comprising: a centerconnection means; and two extensions, a first end portion of each ofsaid extensions being connected to said center connection means, asecond end portion of each of said extensions being connected to anattachment means, wherein attaching a first extension to a locationaround the waist portion of a bottom rear panel of a swimsuit, enfoldingsaid bottom rear panel with a second extension and connecting saidattachment means of said second extension to said center connectionmeans to hold said rear panel together enables a conversion of said rearpanel of said swimsuit to a shape which provides more body exposure. 17.A swimsuit converter comprising: a first extension, each of two endportions of said first extension having a connection means enablinginterconnection between said connection means, and a second extension,with a first end connected to a point along said first extension, andwith a second end portion connected to an attachment means, whereinattaching said attachment means of said second extension to a locationaround the waist portion of a bottom rear panel of a swimsuit and havingsaid first extension enfolding said bottom rear panel of said swimsuitand connecting said connection means enables a conversion of said rearpanel of said swimsuit to a shape which provides more body exposure. 18.The swimsuit converter of claim 17, wherein said connection means ateach end portion of said first extension is complementary of each other.19. A kit for making a swimsuit converter comprising: one or moreextension materials, a plurality of attachment means, and an instructionon how to make said swimsuit convert, wherein one or more said swimsuitconverters can be made with said kit, said swimsuit converter having aplurality of extensions, a first end portion of each of said extensionsbeing connected together, and a second end portion of each of saidextensions being connected to an attachment means, wherein attaching twoof said extensions through said attachment means to two sides of abottom rear panel of a swimsuit and attaching one or more saidextensions through said attachment means to one or more locations aroundthe waist portion of said swimsuit enables a conversion of said bottomof said swimsuit to a shape which provides more body exposure.
 20. Thekit for making a swimsuit converter of claim 19 further comprising oneor more center connection means, wherein said first end portion of eachof said extensions being connected together through said centerconnection means, and a second end portion of each of said extensionsbeing connected to an attachment means.